LASIK Eye Surgery – The Procedure and Risks

For nearly seven centuries, eyeglasses remained an unchallenged method to correct refractive vision errors. It was in the early 50s that contact lenses came into the picture. With technological advancements in eye care, many forms of surgeries evolved over a period of time to help people correct their vision. LASIK is one of the highly advanced and safest options available. This eye surgery is a laser refractive procedure that’s performed to achieve immediate and safe results.

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK, which stands for Laser in Situ Keratomileusis, involves using a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). It is a popular surgery used to treat hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.

How is LASIK Eye Surgery Performed?

There are three significant steps performed in LASIK eye surgery procedure: 1. Creating a flap in the cornea- A suction ring is attached to the eye which steadily holds it and femtosecond laser or a mechanical tool called microkeratome is used to create a thin flap in the eye’s transparent, protective outer layer called cornea. The flap is then folded back but remains attached to the eye by a small uncut “hinge” on one side to access the underlying cornea called stroma. 2. Reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with a laser- A computer-controlled laser beam reshapes the cornea in less than a minute. This highly sophisticated laser uses a cool laser to reshape the cornea by removing microscopic tissues, thus creating an improved vision by more accurately focusing light on the retina. 3. Repositioning the flap over the treated area- The corneal flap is repositioned and it bonds with the underlying cornea without stitches. After LASIK, the reshaped cornea provides a clear vision without glasses or contact lenses.

Risks and Complications Associated with LASIK Eye Surgery

Complications are very rare, but it depends on the experience of the doctor and eye care clinic performing the LASIK eye treatment. Certain side effects of LASIK such as dry eyes and disturbance in vision are common; however, they don’t last for more than a few weeks. Lasik Eye Surgery Risks include:

•  Dry eyes: After LASIK, your eyes may reduce tear production, which can make you feel unusually dry as they heal. You can use eye drops during this time to keep your eyes moist as recommended by your doctor.
• Glare halos: You might feel difficulty seeing bright lights, especially while driving at night. You may experience glare and double vision. This condition may not last for more than a few days.
• Undercorrectness: When the laser removes fewer tissues than required from your eyes, the vision will not be as sharp as expected. If such a situation arises, you are required to go through another LASIK within a year.
• Overcorrectness: If more than the required tissues are removed, it leads to overcorrection. This is much more difficult to solve than under correctness.

LASIK offers improved vision and freedom from glasses and contact lenses. However, rarely in some people, eyes can slowly return to the same state as they were before the surgery because of multiple reasons such as pregnancy, hormonal changes, and cataract. The safety and effectiveness which LASIK offers continue to become better because of technological advancements and improved surgical training. LASIK has a strong history of patient satisfaction. The success of your LASIK surgery is always dependent on the experience of the surgeon performing and the track record of the eye care clinic. There will be greater chances of complications if the clinic or hospital offering LASIK treatment lacks modern equipment and expertise. At Centre for Sight, we leverage state-of-the-art technology and have the best LASIK & Refractive specialists who have years of experience in performing the LASIK eyes surgery in India available at Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Agra, Meerut, and Moradabad hospitals. With years of experience in offering the best LASIK surgery in India, you can certainly trust CFS as your ideal LASIK eye surgery partner and put all your worries and myths about LASIK eye treatment to rest.